World Premiere Geneva Motor Show 2010 The Shape Of Things To
Come: Vauxhall Flextreme GT/E Concept

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – February 18, 2010: Vauxhall will unveil a
dramatic concept car at this year’s Geneva Show that is set to boost
its credentials as a leader in environmental vehicles. The Flextreme GT/E
illustrates how extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be
plugged into large or mid-sized vehicles, as well as compact cars, like the
upcoming Ampera.

Vauxhall calls the strategy underpinning Flextreme GT/E,
‘e-mobility unlimited’, which will effectively adapt the highly
efficient E-REV drive system to vehicles across all market segments. In
other words, the Flextreme GT/E concept shows that size really
doesn’t matter when it comes to driving a car with zero C02
emissions.

Sleek and aerodynamic, the Flextreme GT/E achieves a projected drag
co-efficient of just 0.22, allowing it to reach an estimated top speed of
125mph-plus while conserving energy and extending the driving range.
Stand-out visual features include a low, wide stance, wing-shaped lights
front and rear, a distinctive nose and grille, ‘floating’
C-pillars and muscular, sculptured bodywork.

Exterior designThe clean frontal styling features a low
bonnet line and an extended nose section, which is clasped by wing-shaped,
signature LED headlamps, which are in turn carved into the front wings and
across the bonnet line. The new trapezoidal grille is slim but bold, with
the prominent wing-shaped chrome bar carrying a large Vauxhall emblem,
which doubles as a socket for charging the Flextreme GT/E’s battery
pack.

The upper section of the grille is used to admit cooling air, the lower
portion being covered by a translucent panel. The absence of additional air
intakes allows a low frontal area for aerodynamic efficiency and also
enables the Flextreme GT/E to meet future pedestrian protection
requirements.

The sculpted bonnet, with a Vauxhall-signature central crease line,
features narrow longitudinal vents on either side to draw air out of the
engine compartment. The muscular wings and wheel-arches sweep back into the
side-body.

In profile, the Flextreme GT/E is distinguished by innovative, stubbed
C-pillars. This floating design allows the glasshouse to be extended
rearwards under the arching roofline, emphasising the flowing lines of the
side-body. Vauxhall’s signature blade motif is reinterpreted in a
swooping swage line from the base of the C-pillar into the lower front
wing.

Access to the cabin is enhanced by the adoption of rear-hinged rear
doors, an evolution of the FlexDoors concept from the new generation
Meriva. To preserve the clean exterior looks, all door handles are replaced
by light sensors. These trigger the doors to open when covered by the
driver’s or passenger’s hand. To reduce air turbulence,
exterior front door mirrors are also absent, replaced by small camera pods
in the base of the A-pillars.

At the rear, a strong shoulder line embraces sculpted wheel-arches that
further emphasise the Flextreme GT/E’s wide, ground-hugging stance.
The coupé look is completed by a steeply raked tailgate, carrying
wing-shaped LED light units which echo the form of the front headlamps. And
taking a leaf from the Insignia Sports Tourer’s book, the tailgate
has a wraparound design for improved boot access, enhanced by a convex deep
glass screen to improve airflow.

The transparency of the fixed glass panel in the centre of the roof is
adaptive, allowing sunlight to warm the interior in the cold of winter, but
darkening for coolness in summer. A duct at the rear edge of the roof is
for additional cooling of the battery and electronic components.

Managing airflow and saving weightIntegral to the Flextreme
GT/E’s dramatic looks is the efficiency of the design execution. The
small frontal area, low roof height (1308 mm) and a flat, enclosed
underbody all enable the car to cleave the air with a minimum of
disturbance.

A series of measures optimise airflow management. The 21-inch alloy
wheels are relatively narrow, to reduce wind resistance, and are fitted
with 195/45, low rolling resistance tyres. Clear, flush-mounted trim
inserts also minimise air turbulence.

The small front intake improves airflow around the nose of the car and
the underbody sweeps up, venturi-like, at the rear to further reduce
drag.

The Flextreme GT/E also explores the potential for active shape
shifting. At speeds above 30mph, a vertical panel extends along the body
from the air extraction slot behind each rear wheel-arch. These 350 mm-long
side spoilers guide high-speed airflow around the rear corners of the car,
further reducing the amount of turbulence.

Mass reduction measures for the body include the use of lightweight,
carbon composite outer panels, polycarbonate window glazing and aluminum
alloy structural components. Compared with conventional materials, these
offer a 40 per cent weight saving which further contributes to reduced
energy consumption and an increased driving range.

PowertrainThe Flextreme GT/E concept also includes the
groundbreaking E-REV drive system, already developed for the Vauxhall
Ampera. Despite its greater size and a maximum speed of more than 125mph,
the Flextreme GT/E is estimated to offer performance similar to that of the
Ampera: a battery-powered driving range of up to 40 miles – with zero
CO2 tailpipe emissions – and a total range of over 300 miles. Average
fuel consumption is estimated at 175mpg, with CO2 emissions of less than
40g/km.

Unlike a hybrid vehicle, the wheels of the Flextreme GT/E are powered at
all times by electricity. For typical journeys up to 40 miles, energy is
supplied by a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack located under the floor and
rear seat.

However, unlike a battery-only electric vehicle, the Flextreme GT/E
eliminates any possibility of range anxiety through fear of being stranded
without power. The small petrol engine/generator is seamlessly engaged to
provide electricity whenever the battery’s supply becomes depleted.
In this mode, the driving range is extended to more than 300 miles, until
the plug-in battery pack can be recharged or the car is refueled.

The motor in the electric drive unit delivers a substantial 370Nm of
instant torque, giving lively performance and projected zero to 62mph
acceleration in less than nine seconds.

The Flextreme GT/E concept is a logical next step towards
Vauxhall’s emerging strategy for the electrification of the car,
which will in time include products using battery, extended-range, hybrid
and fuel cell technologies.